“Not a Rival Anymore”: Japan Expose Tactical Ineptitude as Korea Suffer Historic Third Straight Defeat in East Asian Derby

On a humid summer night in Yongin, the curtain fell not only on the 2025 East Asian Football Championship, but perhaps on an illusion long held in Korean football — that the nation still stands as Japan’s equal. A 1–0 defeat in front of home fans marked Korea’s first-ever three-match losing streak to their arch-rivals, a bitter milestone accompanied by zero goals scored and seven conceded across the trilogy.

Yet, the numbers only tell part of the story. The real gulf on display was tactical, structural, and philosophical.

A Familiar Collapse

Just eight minutes into the decisive final match of the E-1 Championship, Japan struck. Ryo Germain, the 30-year-old Hiroshima striker and one of the tournament’s breakout figures, finished sharply after a low, driven cross from Soma Yuki — a sequence that sliced through Korea’s still-experimental back three like butter. It was the only shot on target Japan would register, but it proved fatal.

From that moment, Korea dominated possession but never looked close to equalising. Their game plan — utilising height and physicality through long balls and wide crosses to tall forwards like Joo Min-kyu and Lee Ho-jae — was not only ineffective, but anticipated and neutralised with clinical precision.

“We Knew It Was Coming”: Japan Read Korea Like a Book

“We knew Korea would go long,” admitted Japan centre-back Koga Taiyo post-match. “They had big forwards, and we trained specifically to deal with aerial battles. Araki, Ando, and I focused on not just the first ball, but the second — and it worked.”

Japan’s defensive line, boasting an average height of over 187cm, stood firm against Korea’s physical onslaught. Full-backs like Henry Hiroki Mochizuki (192cm) and substitute Ueda Naomichi (186cm) added extra aerial assurance. Korea’s best attempts — a series of hopeful crosses and corners — were comfortably cleared. Despite 11 corners and 12 free-kicks, Korea managed just one shot on target.

It wasn’t just brute force. Japan’s pressing, spacing, and transitions were sharper. They dominated the small margins, moved more cohesively, and read Korea’s intentions with the air of a side that had done its homework thoroughly.

“We respect Korea. They are physical and technical,” said Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu. “But we knew their game plan. We prepared to defend and hit with precision — and we did.”

“Not a Rival”: The Perception Gap Widens

In the aftermath, Japanese media and fans didn’t hold back. Football Channel noted Korea’s “predictable long-ball tactics” and praised Japan for “standing firm against the one-dimensional threat.” Soccer Digest went further, stating that “Korea’s physical football is no longer superior — not tactically, not technically, not even mentally.”

One Canadian fan, quoted on Japanese YouTube channel Soccer Lab, declared:

“Korea are no longer Japan’s rivals. Saying so is delusional.”

Another commenter scoffed, “Football isn’t K-pop. Japan are just better.”

Miyamoto’s Satisfaction, Symbolism Beyond the Scoreline

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, former national team captain and now the youngest-ever President of the Japan FA, could barely hide his pride.

“To win a Hanil Derby away from home, against a physical and determined Korean team, with discipline and clarity — this is a symbolic moment,” he said. “It shows the maturity of our system, from grassroots to elite.”

Japan won the 2025 E-1 Championship with a perfect record — three wins, no goals conceded — fielding only domestic-based players. The result was not only a successful title defence (following 2022), but their third tournament crown overall. Miyamoto believes the significance goes far beyond a regional trophy.

“This performance builds momentum heading toward the 2026 World Cup,” he added. “It expands the pool of players who can realistically challenge for a spot in our final squad.”

He also singled out Ryo Germain, who won both the Golden Boot and MVP awards, for defying conventional age-based narratives.

“He earned this opportunity at 30. That’s what makes our system special — ability is the only requirement.”

Korea’s Excuses Run Dry

On the opposite bench, South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo struck a defiant yet pained tone.

“We played according to plan. I thought the players did well,” he said. “But clearly, Japan’s system has been in place for years. We’re experimenting now — that’s the difference.”

Asked about Korea’s now-routine defeats to Japan, he pointed to systemic issues:

“They’ve been consistent since the 1990s. Win or lose, Japan never changed their developmental model. We, on the other hand, celebrated results instead of building structure.”

When pressed on Korea’s growing physical inferiority to Japan — long thought to be Korea’s edge — Hong dismissed the idea:

“That’s perception. Our players are improving technically and mentally. But we must acknowledge — from youth development to national team structure — Japan are ahead.”

Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who played in all three defeats to Japan since 2021, could not hide his emotion.

“This one hurts the most. We did everything we could, but that early goal — it broke the rhythm. I’ll carry this loss with me.”

Where to Now?

South Korea now face a sobering question: is the Hanil Derby still a rivalry? Japan have won three straight A-matches for the first time ever, and in doing so, outclassed Korea tactically, physically, and mentally.

Hong insists the tournament was a valuable test. He noted the emergence of 5+ players with potential World Cup pedigree and reaffirmed the need for more time to develop a clear Plan B.

But time may be the one thing Korea no longer have.

As Japan march forward, bolstered by infrastructure, vision, and consistency, Korea face a crossroads. Either rebuild their football philosophy from the grassroots up — or risk becoming a once-feared rival whose greatest battles are fading into memory.